Genetic approaches in mice to understand Rel/NF-κB and IκB function: Transgenics and knockouts

Steve Gerondakis, Mathis Grossmann, Yukio Nakamura, Thomas Pohl, Raelene Grumont

Research output: Contribution to journalReview ArticleResearchpeer-review

280 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Rel/NF-κB transcription factors have been implicated in regulating a wide variety of genes important in cellular processes that include cell division, cell survival, differentiation and immunity. Here genetic models in which various Rel/NF-κB and IκB proteins have either been over-expressed or deleted in mice will be reviewed. Although expressed fairly ubiquitously, homozygous disruption of individual Rel/NF-κB genes generally affects the development of proper immune cell function. One exception is rela, which is essential for embryonic liver development. The disruption of genes encoding the individual subunits of the IκB kinase, namely IKKα and IKKβ, has demonstrated that IKKβ transmits the response to most common NF-κB inducing agents, whereas IKKα has an unexpected role in keratinocyte differentiation. Future studies will no doubt focus on the effect of multiple gene disruptions of members of this signaling pathway, on tissue-specific disruptions of these genes, and on the use of these mice as models for human diseases.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)6888-6895
Number of pages8
JournalOncogene
Volume18
Issue number49
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 22 Nov 1999
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • IKK
  • IκB
  • Knockout mice
  • Mouse genetics
  • NF-κB
  • Rel
  • Transgenic mice

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